Promotion: Los Angeles architecture school SCI-Arc returns with Making+Meaning, a four-week introduction to architecture programme that will take place in summer 2023.

The Making+Meaning course will provide students with in-person instruction on architectural representation via workshops, presentations and field trips.

"Students worked side-by-side with SCI-Arc's faculty, as well as visiting architects and designers, to grow skills in drawing and model making," said SCI-Arc.

"This provided participants with a platform to discover diverse perspectives and experienced insights in a lively and collaborative environment while generating a portfolio of creative work," the school continued.

The one-month programme, which is currently accepting applications for its summer 2023 course, will also see students working closely with teaching members from SCI-Arc on studio-based projects. No previous architectural experience is required for entrants.

"Making+Meaning was a constant flow of creativity and innovation from the students, who were super engaged and tackled a myriad of challenging design problems," explained SCI-Arc alum and Making+Meaning instructor Julia McConnell.

"Working collectively, we were able to curate a body of work that serves as a testament to the abilities and exciting new ideas that students bring to SCI-Arc every day," McConnell added.

Among the topics that will be covered are drawing, modelling, full rendering techniques, full-scale animations AR and VR, 3D asset manipulation, lighting, cinema 4D, and social media distribution.

At the end of the course, students will present their projects in a group exhibition, which will take place at SCI-Arc's LA Arts District campus, where they can receive feedback from architects and designers.

Previous courses saw students use various design and software techniques to make an object that corresponded to four letters in the alphabet.

For example, for the letter E, students had to design an earring. By the end of the course, students had learned how to create four distinct items.

"A weird combination of nervousness and smiles makes the whole experience worth it," said Making+Meaning coordinator and SCI-Arc design faculty member William Virgil of last year's programme.

"When we first meet a student, you can tell they seem faced with a reality that was not so clear when they walked through our doors but then the excitement washes into a "say what?" expression," Virgil added. "By the end of the week, it's all smiles when we are all reviewing the work."

For more information, including how to apply to Making+Meaning, visit the SCI-Arc website.

Making+Meaning 2023 takes place from 5 July to 28 July 2023 at SCI-Arc in Los Angeles, California. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for SCI-Arc as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.